Noah found himself in an extremely tense environment as he stared at the lazily floating Elite Behemoth that had half of its body sunken in the blazing lava.
The mountainous figure had its eyes closed as Noah could only see half of its body, which actually spanned over 30 meters as it magnificently rolled around the Cavern. His attention was pulled towards the large red crystal of the ancient runic pedestal that seemed to be calling out to him, his eyes becoming hot the more they remained on this shimmering treasure.
He breathed out slowly as he brought himself to calm down and think of the numerous ways to proceed, pulling out the Dagger of Time stored in the [Expansive Space] as well as equipping his miniaturized body with the items from the {Incandescent Flameborn Set} to provide even more protection in this fiery hell!
Numerous calculations passed through his mind as he didn't activate any skills yet, knowing the moment he used his mana this extremely dangerous Behemoth lazily floating in lava would notice him.
A few minutes passed as he observed its movements in this tense atmosphere, coming to map out its large body gradually as it continued to swim in the lava. The Elite Behemoth actually adopted the features of something that Noah had come across a few times in his life, and that was a Dragon!
The enormous head that continued to dip in and out of the lava peacefully had a rough draconic outline as enormous wings were tucked into its sides, with Noah not even being able to see their end as they sunk in the molten earth.
A dangerously glistening tail that held numerous crystal stalagmites that shone with a deep red hue could also be seen occasionally rise and fall from the flowing lava!
Numerous ideas came and went in Noah's mind as he tried to map out multiple possibilities, planning for every possible path as he only came out with two. One was miraculously taking this unknown treasure right under the nose of its powerful protector, getting away safely just as the powerful beast was reacting to his movements. This was the best possible course of action, as Noah was not fully confident in being able to take down an Elite Tier Behemoth at this stage, even with his fantastical cheats!
This also brought the consideration that he didn't consider too much of a limitation because of his nearly infinite mana, and that was the 60% limitation of power given to this clone. This also bought numerous new questions about this limitation that he had to slowly understand.
The other possible pathway for him to take this treasure was if the first plan of snatch and run inevitably failed, where he would then have to leave it to fate and go all out, testing exactly how powerful this Elite Behemoth that was half a step into the Domain Expansion Realm would be. This was the second pathway, and he already sent telepathic commands to a special someone if this path was to be followed, knowing he would need all the help he can get.
His face became stern as he pulled back from the wide Cavern and followed the path that he came in, going more than a few miles as he took out the miniaturized Spiritual Land and used [Anchor] to expertly hide it among the grains of earth in the mountain. This was the last preparation, where just in case something horrendous happened, only the clone would be affected as his main body would suffer a significant blow from the loss of a portion of his Origin.
He made his way back towards the wide Cavern thereafter as the same scene greeted him, getting himself ready as he was going to go for the first possible pathway first- taking the treasure right under the nose of this monstrous Draconic Fire Behemoth!
To do this, he looked at the description of a particular ability from the Seven Deadly Sins that he had not used too often, one that came from the Sin of Greed!
[Emperor of Greed] The user can steal the ownership of any item they see or sense.
The skill stated that he could steal the ownership of any item he could see or sense, being extremely useful, but also raising many questions on what it applied to. This treasure in front of him, could it be considered an owned item that he could use this skill to take? Could this ability be stopped in any way if the perception of this Draconic Fire Behemoth was as monstrous as his intel from the Celestials told him?
There were many unknowns in this first plan, which was why Noah was still fairly unconfident with it, and was simply giving it a shot! He breathed out as his eyes honed in on the faraway glowing crystal, getting ready another phase of this first plan that involved physically teleporting his body as he risked the life of the clone to the close proximity of this enormous Behemoth just incase [Emperor of Greed] did not work.
But before this, there was the ability from the Sin of Greed, and there was also...the Dagger of Time! The abilities that the Dagger of Time had were few, but they were extremely powerful as he always kept the Sheath filled with Time Essence from the Time Space, always ready for use if drastic situations like these demanded it.
When he saw the Draconic Fire Behemoth was at the position furthest away from the ancient runic pedestal holding the treasure, Noah's face hardened as his eyes locked in on the profoundly glimmering crystal and cast multiple abilities, starting off with the ability from the Dagger of Time that actually stopped time, [Stop]!
SHAA!
Stillness spread through a wide region of the Cavern, Noah spreading out his aura and senses finally as his eyes locked on to the glimmering crystal above the ancient runic pedestal and also cast, [Emperor of Greed]!
...
Chapter 383 - Authority!
An unbelievably powerful entity was swimming peacefully in its natural habitat filled with blazing, flowing, lava, enjoying the nice swim as it continued to build up the Law of Fire throughout every molecule of its body.
The environment of extreme heat in its surroundings only made it more powerful and efficient in its comprehension of the Law of Fire, its body attuned to the lava flowing around it and the immense heat all over the cavern as it continued its cultivation.
At this moment though, around a certain region of the wide cavernous space that covered the entirety of its body and the region where a special item stood peacefully...time had actually come to a stop!
RUMBLE!
The shaking of essence could barely be discernible as in this frozen area of time, the enormous eyes of the Draconic Fire Behemoth actually snapped wide open, its overpowering senses observing the changes around it as it felt chains of time restricting its oversized body!
'HMPH!'
The eyes of the Draconic Fire Behemoth actually opened wide in this stopped area of time, its body that was frozen in place staying still as its humongous eyes locked towards a particular location where it could feel the movements of an enormous amount of mana.
Its powerful Origin that was drenched in the Law of Fire and enhanced even further in this environment and its inborn ability actually allowed it to observe the movement of essence that was spreading out from a certain being in a far away location!
This unique essence had already covered the expansive space it was in as it actually made possible for time to come to a halt, but the Draconic Fire Behemoth sensed the movement of even more vigorous essence shooting towards a particular Ancient Pedestal that held a special treasure which made its high achievements in the Law of Fire possible.
One must know that within the time period that time had been stopped, not even an instant had passed as in this stopped time, the Elite Behemoth came to attention and observed all of these things instantaneously, its terrifying power going forth another level as it even sensed the spectacular movement of mana of a cast skill that was heading towards the treasure atop the archaic pedestal!
The opened eyes of the Draconic Fire Behemoth locked on the small being that was releasing this mana, realizing its purpose instantly as its red eyes sparked with flames in this stopped time, the vigorous and fantastical essence within its body bubbling forth as it uttered three words within its heart.
{{Flame Lord's Authority}}.
RUMBLEEEE!!!
From the very origin of the Draconic Fire Behemoth, a unique power roared f
orth and erupted from it, going on to cover the entire area where the essence of a certain intruding being was stopping time, as well as the essence that was snaking towards the special item atop the ancient pedestal!
CRACK!
A ludicrous scene played itself thereafter as in the grey world of stopped time, sparks of fire erupted as they went on to actually shatter this frozen space, the energy from this stupendous ability that the Draconic Fire Behemoth had cast going on to wrap around the energy going towards the ancient pedestal even faster as this energy was dispersed, whatever ability being directed towards the special treasure being cancelled right away!
Shocking!
Majestic!
Powerful!
Time flowed freely again as the air vibrated with power, the enormous body of the Behemoth beginning to rise as its gaze filled with an aura of regality and strength locked towards a particular intruder. The ability that the Draconic Fire Behemoth had cast was still in the surroundings, wrapping up everything this fearsome dragon could see, and that included the intruder.
As a being extremely proficient in one of the Universal Laws, as a powerful Dragon born in the Celestial Realm...this was its Authority!
Its gaze continued to lock towards the individual that had tried to get his filthy hands on something that had been with it since it was born, watching this being arrogantly as its power only continued to climb higher. Its mystical senses that could discern even the movement of essence and cancel already cast skills wrapped around this being as a surprised look appeared on its fearsome face, a voice of immense power ringing out in the wide lava filled cavern.
"You were actually able to withstand my Authority, little worm?"
Its voice reverberated across the space as vibration spread across the lava below him, his enormous body moving directly in front of the ancient pedestal as it obscured its gaze completely and stared towards the trembling being.
The creature that had intruded became more clear in his eyes, the outline of a small being barely an inch long zooming and expanding in his eyesight. The intruder wore a unique set of armor that let out a fiery aura that seemed to be protecting him, his body and limbs being completely wrapped around this set of armor as they were protected fully from his expanded Authority that had even burnt away mana!
The only thing that was showing injuries on the intruder's body was the devilishly handsome face that did not have this armor wrapping around it, burn marks that were rapidly appearing and disappearing apparent on the face as the energy surrounding him burnt his face, but he was healing the injuries just as fast.
"Curiouser and curiouser."
The rumbling voice of the Draconic Fire Behemoth rang out again as it saw the being in front of its sight, the body of this being rapidly enlarging as he became around two meters in size.
In his right hand, a fearsome Glaive appeared as it rotated around his body and dispersed the fearsome strength {{Flame Lord's Authority}} slightly, reducing the constant damage it dealt to the one part of his body that wasn't covered by the unique armor as his face began healing completely.
The boots this being wore shone a brilliant red l.u.s.ter as they stood on the flowing lava with ease, the extreme heat seemingly giving this intruder only a little trouble as his gaze also locked on the enormous Draconic Fire Behemoth that overshadowed his sight.
Both had red eyes shining resplendently, one more beastial than the other as a man and dragon locked gazes!
Chapter 384 - Spamming Skills
Noah's gaze looked with the monstrous Behemoth in front of him as he thought about this Celestial Beast's ludicrous level of power.
The overpowering essence it let out still confirmed with him that it was a beast half a step into the Domain Expansion Realm, but its power, even while putting its the crazy strength Behemoths usually showed, was still crazy!
The reason for this was because of this concept that the Draconic Fire Behemoth had mentioned...the concept called Authority!
Noah's heart trembled as he thought back to the frozen time that he never thought could possibly be broken. This went out of the bounds of his knowledge as he had cast the ability of the Dagger of Time and moved speedily, casting [Emperor of Greed] thereafter. But this was when the ridiculous power of this Draconic Behemoth put itself on display!
The Ancient Blood Clone in this frozen time was actually able to hear the calm release of three words that reverberated throughout the wide underground cavern.
{{Flame Lord's Authority}}.
The words were calm and light, but the effect they caused was horrendous as they directly went on to shatter the essence that created stopped time, and it even went further to destabilize and cancel [Emperor of Greed] that was heading towards the Ancient Pedestal!
This was an entirely new concept to Noah, but he had just seen the type of strength that a truly high level being could portray, the strength that somehow allowed them to shatter formed skills and disrupt the casting of abilities.
After the monstrous Draconic Fire Behemoth uttered these three words, it stood in front of the treasure as its gaze locked onto him, its message being loud and clear- you will not be able to run.
The utterance of {{Flame Lord's Authority}} had spread out some kind of a blazing flame domain that caused huge damage for anyone in it, the clone being able to survive it fairly well because of the numerous compounded Enhanced Flame Element Resistance that came with the items of the Incandescent Flameborn Set.
Only his head that did not have a helmet was undergoing the process of burning and healing constantly until he took out the Glaive of Simmering Ember and reduced the damage caused even further, bringing him to this point in time where the brilliantly shining red eyes of the Draconic Fire Behemoth. A smile of immense arrogance seemed to spread on the lips of the fearsome beast as it spoke out again.
"I can see that you have not yet gained an Authority, so you being able to withstand mine is quite a feat."
The Behemoth glanced at Noah closely as it continued.
"Is it the items you are wearing? Or some innate ability? Hmm…"
The Draconic Fire Behemoth did not seem to have an ounce of worry about Noah, continuing on nonchalantly as it wanted to sate its curiosity, and that was it.
"Well, no matter. For the crime of intruding into my layer, for the crime of setting your eyes on something that is not yours...how would you like to die, little worm?"
RUMBLE!
Strong words resounded throughout the underground Cavern as Noah felt the fantastical {{Flame Lord's Authority}} recede, the Draconic Fire Behemoth letting out words that already condemned him to death as the only option!
He sighed again as his heart shook with slight excitement, knowing he would have to go with the second plan where he would actually have to match this monstrous being, and actually come out on top.
As his armored body covered in the {Incandescent Flameborn Set} floated atop the boiling lava smoothly, his strong heart actually began feeling a sense of thrill as he stared at this enormous Celestial Beast!
It was a dangerous situation where nobody knew what the results would be, but Noah was actually finding himself getting strong feelings of excitement whenever he was in situations like these. It was something terrifying and out of his wildest dreams that someone like him could be standing face to face with a Celestial Beast, an Elite Behemoth half a step into the Domain Expansion Realm, and he could actually stand against it with some level of confidence.
This was the adventure he longed to have! This was the strength he wanted to achieve! To be able to look at something this powerful and still believe there was a way for him to trump over it!
A bright smile covered the devilishly handsome face of the Ancient Blood Clone as he replied to the fiery Behemoth while casting numerous skills.
"I will not be dying here today...little dragon."
His words held a tinge of excitement over this unavoidable battle as above the molten and simmering earth around him
, the aura of death appeared in the skies, the figure of [Arch Lich Ra'Zan] beginning to shoot down towards the lava as its body shone, an enormous Bone Dragon appearing below it as it flapped its wings and allowed the powerful Lich to remain in the air.
In the Celestial Realm, flying was restricted until one broke through to the Domain Expansion Realm, but winged beings could still fly nonetheless!
[Arch Lich Ra'Zan] looked at the monstrous opponent its Master had as golden flames blazed from its sockets and the skull staff it held, the essence of death spreading out in the surroundings as huge runic circles appeared in the skies.
These runic circles signified the casting of [Abyssal Summoner], the ability that called forth enormous Abyssal Undead to fight for the Arch Lich.
This wasn't all though, as Noah uttered multiple skills without reservation while his gaze continued to lock with the Draconic Fire Behemoth.
[Empyrean Guards]. [Empyrean Armament]. [Blood World]. [Dawn of the Blood Lord]. [Ancient Blood Scion]. [Summon the Ancients]...[Lesser Cthulhu].
RUMBLE!
The atmosphere quaked as an enormous amount of mana was used wantonly, the numerous number of wide area buff, strengthening, and transformation abilities forming with a gorgeous array of colors in the expansive Cavern below a volcanic mountain in the Celestial Realm!
Yet at this moment in time, a single Dragon remained calm as its voice reverberated out.
"What did you just call me?"
The nonchalant tone of the large Draconic Fire Behemoth had changed as it ignored the fantastical essence and splendor of skills and transformations that Noah was undergoing as it asked a simple question.
Noah's resplendent but still transforming figure that still seemed smaller than the 70 meter Dragon held a devilish smile as he taunted out a reply the numerous skills he cast coming to life around him gloriously!
"A little dragon. You know, those small little lizards you can find scurrying in crevic-"
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
The very air itself shattered as a wrathful Dragon's Roar resounded, the start of a monstrous battle going underway!
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